Chapter 5

But he still did not listen

Amanda kept trying but was pushed to the floor and shouted at by him

"STAY AWAY!!" Charles commanded in a fit of rage

Amanda was both shocked and frightened as she has never seen this part of him, he looks like the devil himself.

But the whole thing lasted for a while as she ran back to stop him.

Unable to stand the sight of blood fat crystal tears roll down from Amanda's eyes, she allowed her tears flow, the moment a drop of her tears touched him, his hands that were raised in a fist ready to hit Liu suddenly stopped mid-air

He immediately let go of Liu's collar

"Take him to the warehouse" he ordered one of his men

After giving his command he went on to pick Amanda in a bridal style to there room. When he got up to the room he placed her at the edge of the bed who went on to hug her knees like a frightened cat

Having seen her reaction Charles felt pity for her

"I am sorry Amanda for letting you witness that" Charles apologize sincerely as he never intended to frighten her

"You... you almost killed him," Amanda said all shaking

"He tried to rape you" Charles defended

"I know but that didn't give you the right to do that to him, there is something called justice" Amanda lectured

"This world is not a bed of roses... It doesn't go the way you think it does... This is what we call the jungle life it is either you kill or be killed" Charles said with his back facing her as he didn't want her to see his hideous expression because she will get scared of him. He also did not want to see his reflection in her eyes 

" You saw what happened... I hate sharing my things... Whatever you do bear that at the back of your mind" Charles warned before leaving 

Amanda immediately got up to get the first aid kit to tend her wounds while she was busy with it clumsily, Charles walked into the room. Seeing how clumsy she was attending her injuries he went to the side of the bed lowered his height and helped her with it.

He did it slowly with care scared of hurting her, whenever she squinted because of the pain he carefully blew air into it with his mouth. Even he was surprised as to how careful he was.

After he was done attending to her wounds he was about walking out with the injury on his fist but she went ahead to make Charles sit as she did the same for him.

Though she was clumsy but watching her put so much attention into tending the injury made his heart flutter, a spot in his heartfelt happy and sweet, he felt like getting injured over and over again just to see her like this.

"Aren't you scared of me?" Charles asked, but within him, he was scared she will say yes

"No I am not" Amanda replied sincerely as she went on 

"I know you looked Scarry, but you did that for a good reason... You were trying to protect your little wife and I get that... Just don't put yourself in harm's way because of me... I don't want to be indebted to my conscience or you"

After she was done mending his wound she headed to the bathroom leaving only Charles in the room.

Unknown to her that the door is transparent she  forgot to cover the place went on in removing her clothes to take her bath.

Charles suddenly caught sight of a beautiful figure from the door which made his Adams Apple roll. His pupil contrasted and his well-structured face squinted into a frown

"How can you have such thought towards her... When did you lose yourself control"Charles thought to himself.

Unable to watch any more he went to the balcony to smoke.

After Amanda was done bathing she came out to the room but couldn't find him in the room she retired to bed without him using the pillow as a demarcation between them before taking a trip to Dream Land.

After smoking he saw Amanda peacefully sleeping he walked up to her side to have a closer look at her

Charles sat at the edge of the bed beside her as his eyes wandered to the birthmark, he just kept staring at it

"Why do I feel you are Nora of eighteen years ago... How come you are bearing Amanda... I searched for you for eighteen years... Do you know that... I recently found her and someone else had to hurt her... Amanda, you are in my world now I will do everything in my power to make sure you are safe and out of danger" Charles muttered to himself while starring at the birthmark.

After sitting for a while he went to the study in the room, immediately he got there he dialled an unsaved number

"Do an investigation on Mr Liu for me... Dig out all his dirty secret and make sure it gets released tomorrow..."

"Are you sure about that... You are starting a war" the receiver said

"Just do what I ask!!" Charles commanded

After the call, Charles went ahead to shower before joining Amanda on the bed

............

The first ray of sunshine lit up the room, Amanda rubbed her blurry eyes just to find herself in Charles's arms, but thank goodness he hasn't woken up as they were lying in an ambiguous way

Amanda tried pulling out of Charles's arm but she couldn't as the force holding her waist is stronger than she is. She tried numerous times but all to no avail but she successfully woke Charles who was pretending to be at sleep

"Good morning Charles... Could you please take your hands off me"

"What were you doing in that position all night," Charles said pretending he knows nothing about it 

After awhile Charles let go of Amanda with a complacent smile

"Today is the first day of the working week aren't you planning on going to work," Amanda asked curiously

"No I am taking the day off" Charles replied

"Today is a new week I have to go back to work," Amanda said as she made her way to the dressing room to select cloth for the day

Immediately she opened the wardrobe it took her to an expensive world, she could  tell at one glance just how expensive they all are. 

"Those are your clothes," Charles said from behind

"I am a designer but I do not know what to settle with... Please help me out" Amanda said

Charles went ahead to pick a body hug short black corset gown with an opening at each of the sides of the waist with a spaghetti strap hand he also went ahead to select a four inches block heels to match.

"Wow!!  Your taste in fashion is really good I must say" 

"You are welcome" Charles replied

"Get dressed let's go down for breakfast... I want to introduce you to my family" Charles added

Amanda went ahead to take her bath and get dressed, she  wore the outfits that were skillfully selected by Charles

When Amanda was done getting dressed she went ahead to apply light makeup and also pack her well-stretched hair in a ponytail

"Open the file on the table" Charles commanded

Amanda went ahead to open so she saw some pile of papers which she carefully checked out

"Sign the documents," Charles said

"How did you get the share from the home of good clothes," Amanda asked feeling surprise

"Just sign it"

"I am sorry but I can't sign this... 50% of the company's shares, " Amanda said with a conflicted expression

"Look Amanda I know the late grandma Dorcas gave you that company... And you have been slacking off... You are an accountant in the company you don't even know what is going on... The company is going bankrupt very soon Desmond will file for bankruptcy... Is that what you promised grandma Dorcas before she passed away... Home of good clothes needs that money... If you don't sign it they will file for bankruptcy... Think twice before you reject my offer" Charles explained

"How did you know all this... How did you know grandma Dorcas"

"There is nothing hidden under the sun... Amanda just get the documents signed"

"Thank you for this but the shares should be under your name, not mine... in the same way you will be helping the company and also benefit from it"

"It is a conjugal property anyway... You are now Amanda Lan... But if you don't sign it I withdraw the money and I don't think you will want that" Charles added

" the company is really in need of this money so I can't lose it besides the company is in this mess because of me so I have to find a way out and this is the only way... Come on Amanda think of those who will lose there livelihood because of you"

After battling with herself she went ahead to sign the documents when she was done she raised her head to look at Charles through the mirror

"Thank you so much, Charles, you have been a big help for me ever since we met... Thank you... I know this sum is huge but I will find a way to pay you back... Thanks a million, times Charles" Amanda said gratefully

"Do not forget your bracelet grandma Karen will be angry" Charles reminded

 ......

Charles and Amanda came down hand in hand for breakfast which got the family talking but grandma Karen had a bright smile on her face when they drew close to the dining hall

Loreen spoon dropped the moment she saw the birthmark on Amanda's neck

"How come... How is she alive... What is going on" Loreen thought to herself

Loreen fought so hard to stay composed but she couldn't as the shock was too much on her

"The mark!!!" Lora shouted

Charles Immediately short her a daggering gaze which made her flinch and kept quiet

Amanda noticed their reaction, some of them surprised some shock but she couldn't make out why they had that look on their faces

"Why is she with the lan clan bracelet," Loreen asked rudely

Amanda raised her head to meet the eyes of Charles who was standing beside her.

The man beside her was taller than her for a head, she stood next to him like a bird rest upon a man

"It's okay I am here with you" Charles bent to the height of Amanda to whisper. 

"Hello everyone... Meet Amanda, my wife"

Ignoring her usual grace and modesty, Loreen shouted on top of her voice.

"What was that... Your wife... Is that some kind of joke... When did you start having a poor taste!!" Loreen shouted angrily

"Loreen calm down I am satisfied with my granddaughter" grandma Karen said

The more Loreen thought of yesterday's incident and the fact Grandma Karen gave the Lan clan bracelet to Amanda and not to her as she was never acknowledged by Grandma Karen as the mistress of the clan the more she got annoyed and her words became harsh

"Grandma Karen what are you saying how can you accept this tramp who just wants to leach off our family... You are getting divorced with this lady this instant... Go dump her wherever trash you picked her from... The only daughter in law I recognize is Lora... Aside Lora no one else is deserving of you"

"Can't we have a peaceful breakfast?" Grandma karee said hitting her fist on the dining table which made everyone quiet for a while

"Take a seat let's have breakfast" grandma Karen said looking at Amanda

"You got married to her because of the birthmark, isn't it... That lady is gone she is long gone... This lady is a fake" Loreen shouted

"Mother!!" Charles shouted 

"What is the news making the rounds... Why did you take down Mr Liu's business, because of this wretched woman isn't it... Where is he where did you keep him

" mom please stay out of this let me handle it"

"Hello, Mom.. don't you think it is a bit rude of you to speak to me like that... No matter what I am a human... I have feelings too... I also deserve respect just like everyone seated here... I understand the fact that you want the best for your son... But you don't even know me yet and you are already judging me... What does my birthmark have to do with my marriage to Charles" Amanda asked feeling furious

"You don't know the reason you are here... Fine let me tell you...

"MOTHER!!!" Loreen word was cut short by Charles

"You know what, Charles I don't think I feel comfortable having breakfast here if I do have breakfast here, I will end up having indigestion besides I am late for work I have to go now... Grandma Karen, I am very sorry for this morning I have to go now" Amanda went ahead to give her a kiss

Grandma Karen handed her phone to input her digit

"I will call you later at noon that way we will have lunch together," Grandma Karen said

Charles and Amanda made there way out of the dining room to the front of the house where their car was waiting for them.

They both got in the car and Charles had his normal sleeping position while Amanda just looked out the window thinking how the day will look like as she will face her ex and sister today

Looking at Amanda uneasiness Charles decided to speak out

"Are you sure you can handle them... Amanda"

"I don't know Charles"

Thinking about the incident not long ago Charles decided to apologise

"I am sorry for this morning"

"It's alright, I understand your mom... At least she loves you. By the way, what about Mr Liu... Where is he... Mother said his news is making the rounds" Amanda asked curiously

"Forget about Mr Liu leave him for me to handle"

After a while of driving, the car came to a stop at a big building with a name boldly written"Home of good clothes" after taking in some measurable amount of air Amanda gathered her courage as she stepped out of the car on her heels

"Some days from today I left here broken now I am back," Amanda thought to herself

After standing beside the car for awhile she gathered her courage, with her head raised high and chin up she walked into the building majestically Amanda walked into the shareholders meeting.

Seeing an empty seat close to Desmond she sat down

"What are you doing here Amanda," Desmond said on a low voice

"Why... Am I not allowed to be here"

A lady on short gown walked up to Desmond and whispered something to him

"What... You are the new highest shareholder? How is that even possible" Desmond asked

"Can the meeting start or are we waiting for someone?" Amanda asked in a bossy tone

Amanda picked the papers in front of her and flipped through it, not satisfied with what she saw she commented

"The company's budget is low... We do not have enough talk more of the one we will use to fund a private annual fashion show... Why does Jade's fashion show budget have to come from our company? What is the company gaining from it?" 

"We are gaining popularity from it right my fellow board members" Desmond retorted

"Please flip the file over... See for yourself our company's account... Many shareholders have pulled out if you check very well you will see that there are two annual reports one is of grandma Dorcas's administration and the other is that of our present administration... Ever since the present administrator became the CEO of this great company we have been making more losses than gain... If the budget of Jade's fashion show has to come from this company then we are to profit at least sixty per cent of whatever income she gets there or we don't fund it at all... Who is with me on this"

All most all the board members supported the motion.

"This meeting has been adjourned" Desmond shouted with rage

"Everybody leave I want to talk to my wife alone"

"Ex-wife correction" 

"You guys are divorce"

"How is that possible" they all dispatch while murmuring

"What are we to talk about... we can't talk in front of the board members," Amanda asked

"What are you up to Amanda... What do you want... Are you that obsessed with me"

"Obsessed with you Desmond!! My dear ex-husband, you think too highly of your self!! You know what they say right... There are a lot of fishes in the river so why do I have to cry over spilt milk... I am just doing my job... I am taking some decisions that will benefit the company... My life doesn't revolve around you or Jade... Please allow me to do my work"

"What do you want... What do I do to make you leave this company"

"You can't do anything about it... Let's not forget grandma Dorcas gave me this company as you have other chains of businesses but I was so blinded by love that I gave you the company and now it is going bankrupt... Do you know her last words to me before she died... I guess you don't so let me tell you... She said Amanda I built this company with my blood and sweat... I built it for the love of fashion and I can see the love you have for fashion... For that reason I am giving you the sole owner of that company please take care of it as I did... That was her last words before she gave up her ghost and you want me to sit and watch the company go bankrupt... You are incompetent Desmond... You can not run this company!!!"

"Oh, you think so... Because you now have another surname attached to your name... You are now bearing Amanda Lan... Tell me Amanda who is the new guy... Who did you spread your legs for... Tell me Amanda" Desmond said as he walked up to Amanda trying to strangle her 

Amanda who was out of breath and was suffocating she can't scream or call out for help so she took her bag beside her on his head and the beautiful draping medal hanging on the hand of the bag hit him on his eyes

Immediately Desmond felt the intense pain he let go of Amanda who took the opportunity to dash out of the room to the washroom

The moment Amanda got into the restroom she was breathing heavily, trying to calm herself immediately her eyes caught sight of the bruises on her neck through the mirror and the bruises were obvious.

Amanda tried using water to wash it out but all to no avail as it was still shining brightly

Amanda poured some water on her face to get her composure after that she wiped it out and apply some make up

While applying it the door to the restroom swung open and Jade walked in

"Oh... Look who is here... The lady against my progress" Jade said

"I am not in the mood to quarrel with you Jade come back some other time"

But how can Jade let go of this wonderful opportunity and she is at her lowest